Announcing the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Dr. Sarah Sampson Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University (left), Arthur Vickers Artist & Storyteller (right)

2010 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Dr. Sarah Sampson Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University

Dr. Sampson is a 1993 University Transfer Sciences graduate of the College. She started her educational journey at Camosun taking Grade 12 equivalency courses to finish her high school studies. "I wanted to be with a more mature group of students than those I had left at high school, and I liked the idea of being able to get my GED and continue on at the same institution for my first two years of college," says Dr. Sampson. Within three years, she transferred from Camosun to Washington State University (WSU) where she completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Studies. Always having a love of animals, especially horses, Sarah specialized in Equine Medicine at WSU and completed her DVM (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons) in 1999. Over the next four years, she worked as an equine practitioner in Maple Valley, Washington and returned to WSU in a five-year residency program in Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine. She continued to work on her PhD there and completed it in 2008.

Today Dr. Sampson is an Assistant Professor of Equine Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, in Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. She teaches undergraduate and veterinary students about medical and surgical problems and injuries in horses. She has won several scholarships and awards and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. She is married with two children.

"Camosun gave me a fresh start and renewed my love of education by providing an environment that encouraged independence and rewarded hard work," says Dr. Sampson. "I am honoured to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. But also, I really appreciate the recognition of the many years of hard work that have gotten me this far. I hope my story gives some students out there the motivation to pursue their dreams."

Arthur Vickers Artist & Storyteller

Artist. Carpenter. Storyteller. Arthur Vickers is a renowned contemporary First Nations artist whose works of art are internationally sought-after. The Arthur Vickers Shipyard Gallery in Cowichan Bay, on Vancouver Island, displays many of his pieces inspired by his love of storytelling and the people and the natural beauty of Canada's rugged west coast.

Born in Northern British Columbia, his mother was of English and Canadian heritage while his father was of Heiltsuk and Tsimshian First Nations descent. He graduated from Camosun College in 1971 as a journeyman carpenter and today makes his living as a visual poet. "I have such wonderful memories of Camosun and it is a thrill to be recognized for this award."

Born in Northern British Columbia, his mother was of English and Canadian heritage while his father was of Heiltsuk and Tsimshian First Nations descent. He graduated from Camosun College in 1971 as a journeyman carpenter and today makes his living as a "visual poet."

Arthur says many of his insights today evolved from his childhood. As a boy he travelled up and down BC's coast with his Ya'as (grandfather), a canoe carver and fisherman. They would often stop just south of Prince Rupert to work on the boat and spend time amongst the Scandinavian boat builders there. Their use of red and yellow cedar materials would later become very important to Arthur and his artwork.

Today, he lives in Cowichan Bay and honours and celebrates his ancestors, his community and the natural landscape by telling stories through many mediums: sketches, prints, gold relief, sculptural works of glass, granite and gold, and wood carvings. He also created the famous 'Leadership Desk' as a gift to the office of the Premier of British Columbia to help BC's leaders pause and contemplate their great responsibilities to the people of the province. In 1986 he designed and constructed the Eagle Aerie Gallery in Tofino, BC, built for his brother Roy Henry Vickers – a project he considers his greatest accomplishment to date.

In 2008 Arthur Vickers received the Order of British Columbia for outstanding achievement and distinction in his field. Other accolades include the Order of St. John for his service to humanity and an Honourary Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Victoria, 2006.